8 Books for the Underappreciated Middle Child

You’re All My Favorites, by Sam McBratney and Anita Jeram
An absolutely darling picture book, You’re All My Favorites (by the author/illustrator duo of Guess How Much I Love You, so you know this book is destined to be a favorite and that it will probably also make you ugly-cry by the third page) tells the story of three little bears, each of them worried that their parents like the other two bears more than them. It may not focus solely on the middle bear, but it’s a sweet book for even the littlest of your cubs to understand and has a lesson that can’t be beat—every child is special and mommies and daddies love all of them equally.

The Middle-Child Blues, by Kristyn Crow and David Catrow
A great book to read aloud, The Middle-Child Blues is a must for every middle child feeling the heat of their birth order. The main character, Lee, has an older brother who gets all of the privileges, and a little sister that everyone thinks is so cute. So where does that leave him? He decides to take matters into his own hands with his guitar so that he can make his voice heard. This story will give your middle child the courage they need to do things that scare them, and remind them that they have their own talents not dictated by their place in the family.

Confessions of a So-called Middle Child, by Maria T. Lennon
Can you imagine being a middle child and heading off to middle school? The horror! Confessions of a So-called Middle Child is about a girl named Charlie, a reformed bully, who has headed off to a new school with a mission to find the most bullied girl and become her friend. Because she’s a middle child, she definitely understands what it means to feel overlooked. This is the perfect book for tweens who are already struggling with identity, on top of being a middle child, and need a little extra boost of confidence.

Little House on the Prairie, by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Is there a more famous middle child than Laura Ingalls? Little House on the Prairie may not be a book that describes middle child syndrome, but it does feature a tough middle child with a great relationship with her siblings. It’s a great book about a strong family unit, and a must for every middle child to read.

The Watsons Go to Birmingham – 1963, by Christopher Paul Curtis
A classic, The Watsons Go to Birmingham should be on every kid’s bookshelf, but it’s especially perfect for middle children. The story is told from the point of view of Kenny, the middle child of the Weird Watsons of Flint, Michigan. The family is on their way to visit Grandma in Birmingham during one of the most tumultuous times in America’s history. It’s a deeply moving book and hearing it in the voice of the middle child is icing on the cake.

Chloe, by Peter McCarty
Need a book in which the middle child loves her family dynamic? Pick up Chloe. The story of a sweet little bunny stuck in the middle, with ten older siblings and ten younger siblings, will warm your heart, make you laugh, and make your middle one super excited about their place in the family line-up.

Harry Potter series, by J.K. Rowling
Um, hello? The Weasleys are a huge family in the Harry Potter series and their middle children are pretty fantastic. Everyone loves Fred and George Weasley, so gift this book to the middle child who has talents they want to share with the world.

American Girl Beforever – Maryellen Larkin series, by Valerie Tripp
The American Girl series is always a favorite and Maryellen Larkin is a middle child growing in the 1950s. With older sisters she wants to copy and younger siblings that sometimes drive her crazy, she’s in for some wild adventures. Great historical fiction, a fun strong character, and she’s also a middle child? Yes!
What books do you recommend for middle children who need a shoutout?